36 PRESENT-DAY GARDENING 
than by over-watering, at the same time much mischief is 
caused by a system of giving a little watering frequently all 
the year round, and without any regard to the period of 
growth or rest through which the plants are passing. Such 
treatment does not provide for strong growth during the 
growing season, or adequate rest after the growths are 
finished ; consequently the plants decline in health and 
the flowers are not satisfactory. Rain-water is the only 
suitable water for Orchids, and the growers who can com- 
mand a supply of it all the year round possess a great 
advantage over those who have to use water from any 
other source. 
During the period of growth and root action, too much 
water at the root cannot easily be given, provided the 
material in which the plants are potted is sufficiently porous 
and the pots or Orchid pans have a sufficient drainage. 
The rule should be to water thoroughly when watering 
at all, making sure that the whole of the potting material 
is moistened well, then not to give more water to that 
plant until the effect of the watering is seen to be passing, 
the plant being still moist but approaching dryness, when 
the thorough watering should be repeated. Nothing is 
more misleading than to pour a little water each day on 
the surface of the material in which the plant is potted. 
This is often considered to be careful watering, but it 
results in a large number of the plants never getting 
thoroughly moist at the root, while others in a reten- 
tive compost, or where the drainage is defective, become 
soddened. Such cases may arise occasionally under any 
conditions, and, where a thoroughly dry plant is found at 
a season when it should be moist, it is better to plunge 
